A "disproportionate" number of Ukrainian refugees and International Protection applicants are being housed in working class areas compared to wealthy areas, new figures reveal.
Newly released Department of Integration figures show there are 3,335 refugees in Tallaght while there are just 51 in Dublin 6. The trend appears to be similar across Dublin
Social Democrat TD Gary Gannon, who obtained the figures, called on the Government to accommodate refugees more equally across the city. He said: "In Dublin 24 – which encompasses Tallaght and South West Dublin – there are a combined 3,335 Ukrainian refugees and IPAS applicants being housed. However, in Dublin 6, there are just 51 Ukrainian refugees.
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"In Dublin 1 – the city centre and north inner city – there are a combined 2,468 Ukrainian refugees and IPAS applicants. In Dublin 22 – which includes Clondalkin and west Dublin – there are a combined 1,799 Ukrainian refugees and IPAS applicants.
“Meanwhile, in Dublin 4, just 23 Ukrainian refugees and 57 IPAS applicants are being housed. This disproportionate placing of refugees and IPAS applicants in working class areas is replicated all over the city."
He added: “Beyond the city limits, there are a combined 1,725 Ukrainian refugees and IPAS applicants in Swords – but there does not appear to be any in Dalkey, Killiney or other similarly wealthy areas in south county Dublin.
“The Government has repeatedly told us that everyone needs to play their part in making refugees welcome. However, these figures indicate that disproportionate numbers are being placed on working class areas.
“There has yet to be any satisfactory explanation for why buildings – like the Jury’s Hotel in Dublin 4 – are being left vacant during this crisis while hundreds of refugees are being placed in commercial buildings in the north inner city.
“This Government needs to do much more to find suitable accommodation across every area in this city. It cannot revert to working class areas every time it needs to find emergency accommodation for refugees and asylum applicants."
He continued: “I absolutely condemn and abhor any racism that has been directed at refugees in recent weeks and months. As a country, we have always been very welcoming and we must continue to welcome everyone who seeks protection in our country. But we should not expect a small number of communities to do the lion’s share of the work.
“These figures raise legitimate questions about why the Government, in its emergency response, is so utterly disproportionately dependent on working class areas. Many of these areas have longstanding issues with a chronic lack of services – including, housing, healthcare and educational – and there are very few additional supports being offered to communities that are accommodating such large numbers of refugees and asylum applicants.”
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